GSK To Close Mfg Plant; Announces Staff Reductions

By Akia Thorpe -

October 10, 2018

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is closing part of its cephalosporins antibiotics manufacturing plant in Ulverston, England and planning staff reductions of approximately 200 employees. This follows a strategic review from which GSK decided to keep its cephalosporins antibiotics business but reorganize it to be more efficient.

GSK says most of its cephalosporins business involves making tablets, which will continue to be made at its Ulverston and Barnard Castle, England factories. However, the company is phasing out production of its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production for sterile injections, which is done at the Ulverston site. This move will cut 191 jobs in the process over the next two years. Approximately 150 workers will remain.

In July 2017, GSK announced plans to adjust its UK manufacturing network, including a potential sale of its cephalosporins antibiotics business and associated manufacturing. GSK produces cephalosporins antibiotics at sites in Ulverston, Cumbria, and Barnard Castle in the UK and in Verona, Italy.